Child&#39;s car seat assembly enabling access to remote gaming applications and two-way person-to-person communications

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;s car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling wireless gaming applications. A child&#39;s car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling two-way, person-to-person communications. A child&#39;s car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling both wireless gaming applications and two-way, person-to-person communications. The child&#39;s car seat assembly of the invention is intended for use with an infant or toddler.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/052,235, filed May 11, 2008, which provisionalpatent application is incorporated by reference herein.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Young children spend a great deal of time riding in vehicles, and bothparents and children appreciate apparatus and systems in which thechildren are entertained and otherwise distracted while riding in thevehicles. Such apparatus and systems include those that enable childrento play video games and watch DVDs while riding in vehicles.

Patent references are known that appear to disclose such apparatus andsystems. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,126,583 appears to disclose aheads up display for projecting text and/or graphics into a field ofview of an occupant of a vehicle. A processor and associated electricalarchitecture additionally appear to be disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,197 appears to disclose a user interface for use ina vehicle which allows occupants to use controls to create a recordedmessage and/or place a telephone call.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,947,071 appears to disclose a vehicle compartmentmonitor including a display, a camera, and a mechanism for relaying datafrom the camera to the display.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,137 appears to disclose a child safety seat with analarm that is connected to the electrical system of a vehicle.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2005/0067865 appears todisclose a chair combined with a plurality of audiovisual devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,444 appears to disclose a child's car seat having areading light and a power switch.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,207 appears to disclose an entertainment andpacification system for a child's car seat having speakers with aplurality of audio sources.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,156 appears to disclose an entertainment systemincluding a child's car seat, an audio source supported on the seat,speakers, and a video device interconnecting to the audio source.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,352 appears to disclose a child's seat havingspeakers and a compartment for an audio apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,381 appears to disclose a child's seat havingspeakers, a power switch, a volume control, and a tone control.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,777 appears to disclose a child's seat having asound generating apparatus installed in the seat.

While the foregoing references appear to disclose inventions thatadequately address the needs identified in such references, it isbelieved that a need continues for improved communication devices andsystems that enable communications by a child retained within a car seatassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Furthermore,while the present invention is described in the context of a seatassembly for installation and use in a vehicle (hereinafter “car seatassembly”), it will be appreciated that the invention is furtherapplicable to a seat assembly that is used, for example, in the contextof a stroller or carrier.

Generally, the invention broadly relates to a child's car seat assemblyand, in particular, to a child's car seat that includes built-incomponents enabling wireless gaming applications; to a child's car seatthat includes built-in components enabling two-way, person-to-personcommunications; and to a child's car seat that includes built-incomponents enabling both wireless gaming applications and two-way,person-to-person communications. The car seat assembly of the inventionis intended for use with an infant or toddler.

remote Gaming Access

Generally, in an aspect of the invention, a child's car seat assemblyincludes communication components that are incorporated into the carseat assembly and that enable wireless gaming applications to be playedby a child who is retained in the car seat assembly.

In features of this aspect, the communication components include atransceiver or, alternatively, a separate receiver and a separatetransmitter; a speaker; a display; and controls for operating thecomponents. The communication components further may include amicrophone and a camera. The car seat assembly also preferably includesa processing unit for locally executing software at the car seatassembly.

The components preferably are built-in and form part of the car seatassembly. Furthermore, the display and controls may be combined such as,for example, in a touch screen display, whereby a graphical userinterface (GUI) may be provided on the display itself.

The gaming applications that are played in accordance with this aspectof the invention preferably provide educational benefits to the childand include educational media that is interactive. The gamingapplications may be hosted remotely from the car seat assembly.

The gaming applications may be downloaded on demand and executed locallyat the car seat assembly. Additionally, it is contemplated that thegaming applications are not sophisticated and that each gamingapplication is designed to attract and hold the attention of a child whois retained in the car seat assembly.

In this respect, and in accordance with a further feature, the gamingapplications that are provided are geared specifically toward the age ofthe child who typically uses the car seat assembly, and the set ofgaming applications applicable to such child may be automaticallyupdated periodically as the child ages. This feature may be provided inaccordance with a subscription agreement with a third party thatprovides the gaming applications, and the age of the child can beidentified and associated with the account at the time of thesubscription.

Remotely hosted applications, and applications that are downloaded ondemand, are accessed using the communications capabilities of the carseat assembly. Specifically, the communication components preferablyenable radio communications over a satellite or cellular network.Alternatively, where a WiMax or similar network is present, thecommunication components may enable communications over such a network.In any case, protocols for such communications may include, whereapplicable and as desired, the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)protocol; the 3G protocol; the transmission control protocol (TCP),including TCP-IP protocol; and one or more 802.11 protocols.

In variations of this aspect, an audiovideo program can be presented tothe child using the communications components, which audiovideo programmay or may not be interactive and which audiovideo program may or maynot be designed to specifically provide educational content to the child(as opposed to simply entertain the child). In some implementations, theaudiovideo program is streamed to the car seat assembly and, in otherimplementations, the audiovideo program is downloaded to—and played frommemory of a component of—the car seat assembly.

Two-Way Person-to-Person Communications

In another aspect of the invention, a child's car seat assembly includescommunication components that are incorporated into the car seatassembly and that enable communications by a child retained in the carseat assembly.

In features of this aspect, the communication components include atransceiver or, alternatively, a receiver and a transmitter; a speaker;a microphone; a camera; a display; and controls for operating thecomponents.

The components preferably are built-in and form part of the car seatassembly. Furthermore, the display and controls may be combined such as,for example, in a touch screen display.

This aspect of the invention enables two-way communications between achild seated in the car seat assembly and a person who is remotelylocated, i.e., someone who is not in the vehicle. In features of thisaspect, the two-way communications include audio communications; thetwo-way communications include video communications; and the two-waycommunications include both audio and video communications.

In a feature of this aspect, two-way communications between a childretained in the car seat assembly and a person remotely located to thevehicle is initiated by the child.

In a feature of this aspect, two-way communications between a childretained in the car seat assembly and a person remotely located to thevehicle is initiated by the person that is remotely located to thevehicle.

In a feature of this aspect, the person who is remotely located to thevehicle communicates with the child via a telephone. The telephone maybe a land-line phone, a VoIP phone, or a mobile phone.

The controls preferably are designed to be used by a child seated in thecar seat assembly and may include a button that, when pressed by thechild, connects the child to a particular adult such as the child'smother. A picture of the mother may be incorporated into the button,especially where the button is provided as part of a graphical userinterface (GUI) on a touch screen display.

Additional Features of the Foregoing Aspects

In accordance with the foregoing aspects of the invention, the car seatassembly is powered by a vehicle by plugging an adapter into aconventional outlet found in the vehicle. Alternatively, the car seatassembly includes a rechargeable power source, such as a rechargeablebattery. The battery may be recharged using an adapter that is pluggedinto the vehicle, that is plugged into a conventional electrical socketof a building or house, or both. In still yet another variation, the carseat assembly is powered by conventional batteries that are removablyinserted into a battery housing of the car seat assembly that is easilyaccessible, in which case the batteries may or may not be rechargeablesince they are readily replaceable.

Further in accordance with the foregoing aspects of the invention, oneor more speakers are located proximate the headrest of the car seatassembly. Additionally, the video display and the controls preferablyare housed within a cross bar of the car seat assembly. In this respect,the cross bar of the car seat assembly preferably rotates relative tothe seat portion, by which the cross bar may be rotated to a forwardposition in which the video display and controls are generally locatedin front of, and are easily accessible by, a child retained in the seat.The video display and controls preferably are contained within a recessof such a cross bar of the car seat assembly such that no hazard ispresented by a protracted display or controls. The cross bar further maybe utilized as a handle by which an adult conveniently lifts and carriesthe car seat assembly.

It will also be appreciated that enabling communications by a child'scar seat assembly in accordance with the foregoing aspects of theinvention makes possible communication of an alarm from the car seatassembly to an appropriate adult. Such an alarm may be sounded by thechild. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, such an alarm may beautomatically sounded. Indeed, the car seat assembly preferably includesone or more sensors and monitoring circuitry for automaticallycommunicating an alarm via the communications components when apredefined alarm condition is met. For example, the sensor may be atemperature sensor for detecting ambient temperature within the vehicleand for sensing the weight of a child retained within the car seatassembly; in turn, the monitoring circuitry can determine when athreshold temperature is reached with a child retained in the car seatassembly, and can consequently sound the alarm by initiating anappropriate communication.

The alarm communication can be sent to one or more designated telephonenumbers and/or to one or more email addresses. The alarm communicatedcan be in the form of a prerecorded or computer synthesized message orin the form of a predefined text message, any of which can include theambient temperature detected in the vehicle. One or more images takenwith the camera of the communication components also may be includedwith the alarm that is communicated. The images may be in the form ofstill pictures or video. Additionally, audio may be included when videois transmitted in the communication of the alarm.

In auxiliary features of the foregoing aspects of the invention, the carseat assembly includes components that enable CD's to be listened to orDVD's to be watched by the child; and single-player games to be playedon the display, for which games the software is located local to the carseat assembly. In these features, the wireless communicationcapabilities of the car seat assembly are not necessarily required inorder for the child to listen to CDs, watch DVDs, or play standalonegames.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations of such aspects andfeatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, andwherein:

FIG. 1A is front perspective illustration of a child's car seat assemblyin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side illustration of the child's car seat of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective illustration of an alternative locationfor a cross bar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B is a side illustration of the child's car seat of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a fragmented illustration of a console embedded in the crossbar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented illustration of an alternative console that maybe embedded in the cross bar.

FIG. 5A is a front perspective illustration of a child's car seatassembly having a mousing surface for use with a mouse in accordancewith preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective illustration of a child's car seatassembly having a trackball attached to the car seat assembly.

FIG. 5C is a fragmented illustration of a trackball attached to a crossbar of a child's car seat assembly.

FIG. 5D is a front perspective illustration of a child's car seatassembly having a touchpad attached to the car seat assembly.

FIG. 5E is a fragmented illustration of a touchpad attached to a crossbar of a child's car seat assembly.

FIG. 5F is a front perspective illustration of a child's car seatassembly having a numerical keypad attached to the car seat assembly.

FIG. 5G is a fragmented illustration of a numerical keypad attached to across bar of a child's car seat assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a child's car seat assembly inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a child's car seat assembly thatincludes a power cord having an end plug configured to be inserted intoa standard automobile power outlet/cigarette lighter holder.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a child's car seat assembly thatincludes a power cord having an end plug configured to be inserted intoa standard electrical socket.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a car seat assembly that includes aneasily accessible battery housing into which one or more batteries maybe inserted to provide power to the car seat assembly.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a car seat assembly that includes aninternal battery, which may be rechargeable.

FIG. 11A is a fragmented illustration of a console having a transmitter,a receiver, an antenna, and a processing unit.

FIG. 11B is a fragmented illustration of a console having a transceiver,an antenna, and a processing unit.

FIG. 12A is a schematic illustration of possible communicationconfigurations for use with a child's car seat assembly in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a schematic illustration of two consoles in communicationwith each other.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an exemplary scenario for using the console toplay a video game.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an exemplary scenario for using the console tomake a phone call.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

Turning now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

FIG. 1A is a front perspective illustration of a child's car seatassembly 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The car seat assembly 10 includes a child's car seat 12, across bar 13, and communication components. Specifically, speakers 16and an entertainment console 14 have been built into the child's carseat assembly 10 for wirelessly accessing various entertainment andeducational media and enabling two-way communication. In at least oneembodiment, the speakers 16 may be built into the cross bar 13 (see FIG.3). The console 14 is illustrated with dotted lines to indicate that itis built into the side of the cross bar 13 that is out of view in FIG.1A. The console 14 may be used to wirelessly play video games, accesseducational tools, watch various entertainment media such as movies andvideos, access available web content, and enable two-way wirelesscommunication between the occupant of the car seat assembly 10 andanother person or device.

As can be seen best in FIG. 1B, the cross bar 13 has two distal ends.Each distal end is coupled to the car seat 12 along a rotational axis 15such that the cross bar 13 may be freely rotated.

FIG. 2A is a front perspective illustration of an alternativeconfiguration of a child's car seat assembly 110 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The console 14 isillustrated with dotted lines to indicate that it is built into the sideof the cross bar 13 that is out of view in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B illustrateshow the cross bar 13 may be positioned along the rotational axis 15.Hereinafter, all references to the child's car seat assembly 10 shalladditionally be construed as including the child's car seat assembly110.

FIG. 3 is a fragmented illustration of a console 114 embedded in thecross bar 13 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The console 114 includes a touch screen display 134, amicrophone 18, and a camera 19. In at least some embodiments of thepresent invention, the microphone 18 and/or camera 19 may be included inone or more different parts of the car seat assembly 10. The console 114is fully adjustable and tiltable in its arrangement with the cross bar13.

FIG. 4 is a fragmented illustration of an alternative console 214 thatmay be embedded in the cross bar 13. The console 214 includes a display234, a microphone 18, a camera 19, an antenna 20 (schematicallyrepresented) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and aplurality of control buttons 36. The console 214 is fully adjustable andtiltable in its arrangement with the cross bar 13.

As will be appreciated, the console 214 is capable of receiving anddisplaying video content and receiving and presenting audio content inconjunction with displayed video content. The console 214 may alsoreceive and present audio content without corresponding video content,e.g., in the case of providing a two-way communication function for acar seat assembly 10 occupant.

The plurality of control buttons 36 are used to control the operation ofthe console 14 for viewing and/or interacting with available media. Inparticular, it is contemplated that the console 214 may provide theability to play a video game by using the function buttons 36 located onthe console 214. The control buttons 36 may include right, left, up, anddown arrow buttons to control relative movement on the display 34. Thecontrol buttons 36 also may include control buttons 36 for controllingvarious functions such as, for example, on/off, restart, play, etc. TheOrdinary Artisan will understand that the control buttons 36 shownherein are exemplary only and control buttons 36 of any appropriateshape, size, and/or functionality may be provided. Accordingly,additional control buttons 36 can be added as appropriate. Further, thefunctionality of available control buttons 36 may change depending onthe media being viewed, e.g., the buttons may have different functionsfor playing a video game than they do for watching a movie, or may havedifferent functionality when playing different video games.

The display 34 is for viewing of the entertainment media beingwirelessly accessed. It is preferred that the display 34 be flat. Theviewed media may include a video game, educational content, a movie, avideo, other available web content, and the like. The display 34 mayalso be used to display video of a person communicating with the seatoccupant via a telephone call, e.g., a cellular call. As discussedabove, the console 214 includes various control buttons 36 that may beutilized to control the media being viewed on the display 34. Thecontrol buttons 36 may also be used to control the communicationfunctionality of the car seat assembly 10, e.g., making a call,disconnecting a call, and the like.

Additionally, it is contemplated that a mouse, keyboard, numericalkeypad, or other remote controller may be utilized to control a console314 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Any of these input devices may be included in the console 314, or may bemounted in a car seat assembly 310, separately from the console 314.FIG. 5A illustrates how a mousing surface 342 may be attached to the carseat assembly 310 such that a mouse 342 may be used. The mouse 342 maybe connected to the console 314 wirelessly, or it may be connected witha cord or cable. FIG. 5B illustrates how a trackball 344 may be attachedto the car seat assembly 310. The trackball 344 may be connected to theconsole 314 wirelessly, or it may be connected with a cord or cable.FIG. 5C illustrates how a trackball 344 may be attached to a cross arm313 of the car seat assembly 310. FIG. 5D illustrates how a touchpad 346may be attached to the car seat assembly 310. The touchpad 346 may beconnected to the console 314 wirelessly, or it may be connected with acord or cable. FIG. 5E illustrates how a trackball 346 may be attachedto the cross arm 313 of the car seat assembly 310. FIG. 5F illustrateshow a numeric keypad 348 may be attached to the car seat assembly 310.The numeric keypad 348 may be connected to the console 314 wirelessly,or it may be connected with a cord or cable. FIG. 5G illustrates how anumeric keypad 348 may be attached to the cross arm 313 of the car seatassembly 310. It is contemplated that a numerical keypad could be usedfor the communication function of the car seat assembly 310, inparticular, to make phone calls.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a child's car seat assembly 410 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As canbe seen in FIG. 6, the console 414 is disposed in a side arm of the carseat assembly 410. Alternatively, the console 414 may be located in oron other components of the car seat assembly 410 as long as it is easilyaccessible and viewable to the occupant of the car seat assembly 410.Further, the console 414 may include the same features and functionalityregardless of where it is located in the car seat assembly 410.Disclosure of placement and functionality of the console 414 containedherein is exemplary in nature only. Further, placement and functionalityof the console 414 should not be limited by any disclosure containedherein.

Hereinabove have been described multiple embodiments of the console14,114,214,314 in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention. Hereinbelow, the console 14 shall be referred to, but allfeatures and implementations described with reference to the console 14could also be implemented or featured with respect to the consoles114,214,314. Likewise, all features and implementations described withreference to the car seat assembly 10, could be implemented or featuredwith respect to the car seat assemblies 310,410.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the car seat assembly 10 thatincludes a power cord 544 having an end plug 546 configured to beinserted into a standard automobile power outlet/cigarette lighterholder. When the end plug 546 is inserted into a standard automobilepower outlet, power will be provided to the car seat assembly 10.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of a car seat assembly 10 thatincludes a power cord 644 having an end plug 646 configured to beinserted into a standard electrical socket. When the end plug 646 isinserted into a standard electrical outlet, power will be provided tothe car seat assembly 10.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a car seat assembly 10 thatincludes an easily accessible battery housing 748, into which one ormore batteries 749 may be inserted to provide power to the car seatassembly 10.

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration of a car seat assembly 10 thatincludes an internal battery 850, which may be rechargeable.

The car seat assembly 10 is installed in an automobile in the samemanner as a conventional car seat. The assembly 10 includes the samesafety features as conventional car seats and therefore meets theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. Forinstance, the car seat assembly 10 includes the conventional five pointsafety harness that is present in conventional car seats.

As will be appreciated, an occupant in one car seat assembly 10 is notlimited by the media selections of an occupant in another car seatassembly 10, whether or not the car seat assemblies 10 are installed inthe same car. For example, if two children are seated in identical carseat assemblies 10 in the same car, each child is able to independentlyselect what he or she would like to view and/or play on his or herconsole 14. Thus, one child may choose to view, using his respectiveconsole 14, any desired video as selected from available media, and theother child may choose to view, using his respective console, anydesired video as selected from available media.

The communication of the media content transmitted to the console 14 maybe accomplished through various different system architectures.Furthermore, while one or more such system architectures form an aspectof the invention, the broader scope of the invention is intended to begeneric to the particular architecture that is employed.

In one particular system architecture, the media is received at theconsole 14. As can be seen in FIG. 11A, the console 14 preferablyinclude a wireless receiver 24 for wirelessly receiving media andcommunication signals. Alternatively, the console 14 may include awireless transceiver 25, as shown in FIG. 11B.

Preferably, the console 14 also includes a wireless transmitter 26, asshown in FIG. 11A. Alternatively, the console 14 may include a wirelesstransceiver 25, as shown in FIG. 11B.

When such a wireless receiver 24, transmitter 26 or transceiver 25 isutilized, the console 14 may be further equipped with an antenna 20(schematically represented) and/or appropriate amplification to improvereception of the wireless signals. Reception may be further improvedthrough the use of repeaters (not illustrated) stationed in appropriatelocations around the venue.

The console 14 may also include a processing unit 70 for locallyexecuting software. Alternatively, the one or more wireless receivers24, transmitters 26 or transceivers 25, and the processing unit 70 maybe located in another part or section of the car seat assembly 10.

The console 14 provides centralized and controlled distribution of mediacontent. Several exemplary distribution technologies are schematicallyillustrated, at least partially, in the various drawings, but it will beapparent to the Ordinary Artisan that other distribution technologiesmay likewise be utilized in at least some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12A is a schematic illustration of a console 14 in communicationwith a variety of distribution technologies 80, including acommunications antenna or tower 81, a satellite 82, the Internet 83, apublic telephone switched network (PTSN) 84, and a network 85. Throughthese distribution technologies 80, the console 14 may be incommunication with a telephone 91, a cellular phone 92, a computer 93, awireless modem or other wireless communication device or network element94, a VoIP phone 95, or any component connected to a WiFi, WiMax,902.11(b) compatible, or Bluetooth network. With particular regard tothe communications antenna or tower 28, it will be recognized that suchan arrangement may be used in conjunction with conventional cellulartechnology, another conventional technology, or a proprietarytechnology. As can be seen in FIG. 12B, the console 14 may becommunicatively connected to another console 14, either wirelessly orwith a cord or cable.

In use, a child seated in the car seat assembly 10 may desire to play avideo game while riding in the car seat assembly 10. FIG. 13 provides anexemplary scenario, 1000, for using the console 14 to play a video game.At step 1001, the child presses a “power” button of the console 14 toturn the console 14 on. It is contemplated that a “power” button may beof a particular color or shape that may be easily designated andremembered, e.g., green or a triangle, so that a child who cannot readmay be able to remember the button to press to power the console 14 andtherefore be able to easily use the console 14. At step 1002, anactivity home page providing a list of available activities appears on adisplay 34 of the console 14. It is contemplated that a picture or iconthat identifies each of the listed activities will appear beside thename of the activity so that younger children who cannot read are ableto use the console. At step 1003, the child chooses the activity that hewishes to perform by pressing the button 36 that corresponds to theselected activity, e.g., the button 36 that corresponds to “play agame.” In embodiments utilizing the touch screen console 114, it iscontemplated that touch screen controls may enable the child to touchthe picture or icon of the activity he wishes to play on the monitor234. At step 1004, a game home page providing a list of available videogames appears on the monitor 34. It is contemplated that a picture oricon that identifies each of the listed games will appear beside thename of the game so that younger children who cannot read are able touse the game function of the console 14. At step 1005, the child pressesthe button 36 that corresponds to the game that he wishes to play. Inembodiments utilizing the touch screen console 114, it is contemplatedthat touch screen controls may enable the child to touch the picture oricon of the game he wishes to play on the monitor 34. As indicated atstep 1006, once the child has selected a game, the action of the gamebegins on the display 34. At step 107, the child uses the controlbuttons 36 of the console 14 to play the game. Depending on the gameselected, different control buttons 36 of the available control buttons36 may be needed. Additionally, depending on the game selected,available control buttons 36 may have different functionality.

It is contemplated that the console 14 may be used by the car seatassembly 10 child to play single player games and also to playmultiplayer games. For example, the child may play a multiplayer gamewith another person riding in the car with him, e.g., an child ofanother car seat assembly 10 installed in the same car, or may play amultiplayer game with a person at a location remote from the car inwhich the child is riding, e.g., a player on his home PC.

As indicated at step 1008, the game ends, and the child has severaloptions for continuing. As indicated at step 1009, the child may chooseto play the game again. Alternatively, at step 1010, the child may pressa “home” button (or another button with similar functionality) to returnto the game home page. He may select another game to play or, asindicated in step 1011, he may press the “home” button again to returnto the activity home page to select another activity. Alternatively, asindicated at step 1012, he may press the “power” button if he wishes toturn the console 14 off. The power button may be pressed at any time toturn the console 14 on or off, depending on its current status.

An child seated in the car seat assembly 10 may desire to make a phonecall. FIG. 14 provides an exemplary scenario, 2000, of this activity. Atstep 2001, the child presses the “power” button of the console 14 toturn the console 14 on. At step 2002, an activity home page providing alist of desired activities appears on the monitor 34. At step 2003, thechild chooses the activity that he wishes to perform by pressing thebutton that corresponds to the selected activity, e.g., the button thatcorresponds to “make a call.” At step 2004, a telephone call home pageappears providing a contact list of predetermined contacts, e.g., mom,dad, grandparent, doctor, emergency (911), etc. It is contemplated thata picture of the person listed as a contact will appear beside thecontact name so that younger children who cannot read are able to usethe call function of the console. At step 2005, the child selects theperson or place from the list that he wishes to call by pressing thefunction button corresponding to the desired contact. In embodimentsutilizing a touch screen console 114, it is contemplated that touchscreen controls may enable the child to touch the name or picture of theperson he desires to call on the monitor. At step 2006, the consoleautomatically dials the number associated with the contact. The speakerand microphone of the car seat assembly enable the car seat assemblychild and the person that answers the call to communicate with oneanother. If the person being called answers the call, as indicated atstep 2007 a, the console may be programmed to automatically disconnectonce the person being called disconnects, as indicated at step 2008.This functionality hinders the child from accidentally disconnecting acall. If no one answers the call, as indicated at step 2007 b, the childmay disconnect the call, as indicated at step 2008. Alternatively, theconsole may be programmed to end an attempted call after a predeterminednumber of rings. In addition, it is contemplated that the console mayhave emergency contact buttons that are preprogrammed to call selectedemergency contacts, e.g., 911, mom, dad, etc. These buttons would belocated directly on the console or another easily accessible locationand would not have any other functionality than being emergency contactbuttons. The child could press these buttons at any time and theemergency contact would be called immediately. After the call isdisconnected, the child has a number of options. At step 2009, the childmay press a redial button to call the same contact again. At step 2010,the child may press a “home” button to return to the home page of thecall function. Further, at step 2011, the child may press the “home”button again to return to the main selection menu. Additionally, asindicated at step 2012, the child may press the power button again toturn the console off. The power button may be pressed at any time toturn the console 14 on or off, depending on its current status.

The use scenarios provided herein are exemplary in nature only. The useand function of the console 14 and the car seat assembly 10 should notbe limited in any way by the description of their use provided herein.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1-124. (canceled)
 125. A child's car seat assembly comprising: (a) a carseat, and (b) communication components that are incorporated into thecar seat and that enable wireless gaming applications to be played by achild who is retained in the car seat assembly and that enable two-waycommunications between a child retained in the car seat assembly and aperson remotely located relative to the child.
 126. The child's car seatassembly of claim 125, wherein the communication components include atransceiver and a transmitter.
 127. The child's car seat assembly ofclaim 125, wherein the communication components include a speaker and amicrophone.
 128. The child's car seat assembly of claim 127, wherein thecommunication components further include a camera and a display screen.129. The child's car seat assembly of claim 125, wherein the car seatassembly further includes a processing unit for locally executingsoftware at the car seat assembly.
 130. The child's car seat assembly ofclaim 125, wherein the gaming applications are hosted remotely from thecar seat assembly.
 131. The child's car seat assembly of claim 125,wherein the gaming applications are downloaded on demand and executedlocally at the car seat assembly.
 132. The child's car seat assembly ofclaim 125, wherein the communication components of the car seat assemblyare configured to receive an audiovideo program that is streamed to thecar seat assembly.
 133. The child's car seat assembly of claim 125,wherein the communication components of the car seat assembly areconfigured to download an audiovideo program and play the audiovideoprogram from a memory of a component of the car seat assembly.
 134. Thechild's car seat assembly of claim 125, wherein the communicationcomponents are configured to initiate the two-way communications by thechild.
 135. The child's car seat assembly of claim 125, wherein thecommunication components are configured to initiate the two-waycommunications by the person remotely located to the child.
 136. Thechild's car seat assembly of claim 125, wherein the communicationcomponents comprise one or more speakers located proximate a headrest ofthe car seat assembly.
 137. The child's car seat assembly of claim 125,wherein a video display and controls are housed within a cross bar ofthe car seat assembly.
 138. The child's car seat assembly of claim 137,wherein the cross bar of the car seat assembly rotates relative to aseat portion of the car seat assembly, by which the cross bar rotatesfrom a first position to a forward position, in which the video displayand controls are generally located in front of, and are easilyaccessible by, a child retained in the seat.
 139. The child's car seatassembly of claim 125, wherein the communication components areconfigured to communicate an alarm from the car seat assembly to anappropriate adult, and wherein the car seat assembly includes one ormore sensors and monitoring circuitry for determining when a predefinedalarm condition is met, and wherein the communication components areconfigured to automatically communicate an alarm from the car seatassembly when the predefined alarm condition is met.
 140. The child'scar seat assembly of claim 139, wherein, the sensor is a temperaturesensor for detecting ambient temperature within the vehicle.
 141. Thechild's car seat assembly of claim 139, wherein the sensor is forsensing the weight of a child retained within the car seat assembly.142. The child's car seat assembly of claim 139, wherein the alarmcommunication is sent to a designated telephone numbers and to adesignated email address.
 143. The child's car seat assembly of claim139, wherein the alarm communicated includes the ambient temperaturedetected in the vehicle.
 144. The child's car seat assembly of claim139, wherein one or more images are taken with a camera of thecommunication components and are included with the alarm that iscommunicated.